Austria: Jewish students fined for waving Israeli flag

Jewish students were fined by the Vienna police after waving an Israeli flag while countering an anti-Semitic pro-Palestinian demonstration.

By: World Israel News Staff

Jewish students were fined by the Vienna police after waving an Israeli flag at a pro-Palestinian demonstration a month ago.

Antonia Yamin, Israel Radio’s Europe correspondent, reported Tuesday that three Jewish students recently received a 100 Euro fine each from Vienna police after waving an Israeli flag at a pro-Palestinian demonstration last month protesting President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, a demonstration at which “Death to the Jews” was shouted.

Virulent anti-Israel protests were held in several cities across Europe last month. Many of the demonstrations were marked by extreme anti-Israel and anti-Zionist messages, with some denying Israel’s right to exist and others supporting violence.

The stated reason for the fine was: “behav[ing] insensibly, violat[ing] public order and creat[ing] a provocation,” Yamin reported.

According to Vice.com, which reported on the December 8 demonstration, hundreds of people participated in the protest at the US Embassy.

“Anti-Semitic slogans could be heard there, again and again,” Vice reported.

Tens of Palestinian and Hezbollah flags were raised at that same event. The only individuals fined were Jews holding an Israeli flag.

Adam Geiger, one of the students who raised the flag, said that moments after they held the flag they were assaulted from behind by pro-Palestinian activists. The police also pounced on them, but instead of arresting the attackers, they detained them.

Geiger also said he viewed the entire incident as anti-Semitic in nature.